We have an excellent, very important dual this Friday in NCAA Division II wrestling. The #4 Nebraska-Kearney Lopers take on the #5 Central Oklahoma Bronchos. This will not only be a matter of pride between these two powerhouse programs, but also a matter of positioning. Both Nebraska-Kearney & Central Oklahoma are in Super Region 6. As well all know, in NCAA D2 wrestling, only the top three wrestlers per weight class make a trip to the national tournament. Seeding is extraordinarily important, so wins here are crucial.
In terms of winning the dual, UNK is for sure points at HWT, with bonus a very high probability. #1 Crew Howard, likely to pick up at least a major, if not try for the tech or fall. Equally, at 149, #12 Dylan Brown is almost certain points for the Bronchos. Looking for bonus himself.
It is within our other eight matches, that his dual becomes quite interesting.
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| #2 Zach Ourada Vs #1 Studd Morris 125 |
We're starting things off with a bang here at 125. 5th in the D2 nation last season, Zach Ourada was also a Super Region VI champion, who on an 11-2 record won the Younes Hospitality Open earlier this year. His opponent, Studd Morris, who is nothing short of one of the best redemption stories in all of wrestling, let alone D2 wrestling. One match from being an All American in 2023, Morris missed out on last season with an injury. He's more than making up for that now as he carries an 18-1 record, and the #1 ranking, plus a strong 3rd place showing at the Midwest Classic. The last time these two superstars met, it was a tight 5-4 victory for Ourada. Look for a similar barnburner this Friday.
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| U.R. Hector Serratos Vs #6 Peter Rolle 133 |
Another one of those, "better on the mat, than on paper" situations. That seems to happen a lot in D2 (as well as D3) wrestling doesn't it? With so many wrestlers, and only the top 15 being ranked, get used to it. Both Hector Serratos & Peter Rolle have more in common than the weight class they are competing in. Both are upperclassmen in their first starring feature, after spending the bulk of their career in supporting roles. Ironically enough, both have similar records, as Serratos is 14-4 & Rolle is 13-3. Rolle really put himself on the map earlier this season, placing 7th at the prestigious Midwest Classic. A single takedown, in a 4-1 match is all that separated the Broncho from the Loper the last the two met. I would not rule out an upset.
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| #9 Joe Airola Vs #5 Dylan Lucas 141 |
Looking really, really forward to this match up. 11 wins on the season & 4th at Super Region 6 last year, I'd call Joe Airola the best at 141 yet to make the national tournament. Dylan Lucas was 3rd in the D2 nation two season ago & one match shy of another All American honor last year. 1st & 2nd at the Midwest Classic in '23 & '24, he slipped to a 5th place finish in '25. The last the two met Airola won a 4-2 match. We could likely see this match again in the Super Region 6 finals.
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| U.R. Cael Robb Vs #2 Gabe Johnson 157 |
Unranked and a 9-9 record, you're probably wondering why I include this match of Cael Robb vs Gabe Johnson, the 2024 DII national champ, who recently won his second Midwest Classic title. I'll tell you why I included this match in my write-up. Because it illustrates how in loss, one can still be a hero in a dual meet. We have the #4 team against the #5 team, and both of these programs want a victory over the other. The last Robb & Johnson met on the mat, Robb in an 8-1 win for the Broncho, Robb kept the match to a decision. In a dual meet like this, there can & often is a huge difference between giving up 3 team points and giving up 4 team points. If Robb can once again keep Johnson to a decision, that could be a huge difference maker in this dual.
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| #6 Trent Munoz Vs #10 Hunter Jump 165 |
Here's another one to look forward to. 14-4 on the year, Trent Munoz was one match shy of being an All American last season. Hunter Jump was 3rd in the D2 nation last year & earlier this season took a 6th place finish at the Midwest Classic. The last these two met, Jump won a tight 4-2 decision. Super Region 6 seeding on the line, look for this one to be quintessential.
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| U.R. Kaden Hart Vs U.R. Zane Coleman 174 lbs |
This one interest me for a variety of different reasons. For one, Kaden Hart is a back to back 3rd place finisher at Super Region 6. However, the move up to 174 lbs from 165 lbs, hasn't been all that kind to the Loper. He's taken some lumps this year, including a 20-8 major decision against Zane Coleman. Coleman on the other hand, while doing well with 15 wins, isn't quite the force that some were expecting him to be since transferring from Arizona State. A top 3 spot in this year's Super Region 6 isn't going to be easy. Both of these guys are going to want the best seed going into the qualifier they can get. It would seem with a 20-8 win, that Coleman has this one in the bag. Here's the kicker though... Coleman recently dropped a 14-6 major to Cole Ritter. Do you know who beat Ritter earlier this season 9-6? Take a wild guess. The parity of this sport rears its head once more.
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| #8 Jacari Deal Vs #10 Garrett Wells 184 |
Jacari Deal has only wrestled a half a dozen matches this season, but (pardon the pun) here's the deal. It's not the quantity of your matches, it's the quality of your matches that earn you a ranking, and Deal has earned his #8 ranking. Friday night he has what could be argued is the toughest challenge he's had to this date in '24-'25. Garrett Wells, who was 6th in the D2 nation last season & 3rd at the Midwest Classic earlier this year. Should be a great match.
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| #5 Jackson Kinsella Vs #13 Emmanuel Skillings 197 |
This dual is going to have more than one marquee matchup, but if I have to narrow it down & tell you what I believe our main event will be, I'm going with this showdown between Jackson Kinsella & Emmanuel Skillings at 197. This is our rubber-match folks. Kinsella owns a 4-1 victory & Skillings owns a 4-3 victory. Kinsella was 4th in the D2 nation last season, while Skillings was backup to one of the best to ever put on a Broncho singlet, Dalton Abney. Super Region 6 seeding on the line, this one is also a matter of pride. Look forward to this encounter.
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